On Boxing Day, police said they held "grave fears" for him, having found no
trace despite intensive searches of over 100 kilometres of walking tracks
leading in and out of the area he is believed to have been walking through.

Flinders Island resident Lois Ireland, who knows Mr McLean, told the ABC he
was currently the talk of the island.

"Some people are saying 'well that's it. He's done. He's gone,'" she
said. "Others are hopeful that he'll just pop up and wonder what all the
fuss was about."

That would be truly remarkable — the bush in Tasmania rarely releases those
lost within it.

'Sometimes you won't see anybody for days'

People can and have survived extended periods in the Tasmanian wilderness —
but they are the exception.

Those searching for lost people have remarked on how the bush can be so
thick it means looking down from rescue aircraft can be futile.

Those rescued have told how the forest can be so dense it forces the
shedding of a backpack or other gear, with walking tracks disappearing in
the scrub.

While stunningly beautiful, the Tasmanian wilderness of the south-west could
be punishing, Hobart Walking Club president Geoff O'Hara said.

"You're under your own power, you're carrying all your gear. You can stop
and just admire the views. Sometimes you won't see anybody for days."

"It's a beautiful area, there's no other word for it. It's absolutely
fabulous out there."

But the beauty came at a price, he said.

"The really intense [scrub] is very difficult to get through … it's very
wearing on your body, you get very, very tired," Mr O'Hara said.

With the search for James Hugh McLean a week old, Inspector Andrew O'Dwyer said
authorities were hopeful he would reappear.

"Mr Maclean has been known to deviate from his path, he's also been known to
understate the number of days he might be away. So we were prepared for this,"
Inspector O'Dwyer said on December 20.

"As for preparations, he's known to pack very lightly."

However, six days later and the language about Mr McLean's chances had changed.

Sadly, police hold grave fears for Mr McLean. Given the length of time he has
been missing, the lack of food supplies and the difficulty of the terrain, the
hopes of finding Mr McLean alive are fading," Acting Inspector O'Dwyer said on
Wednesday.

"We remain in close contact with Mr McLean's family and our thoughts continue to
be with them at this difficult time."

It is understood Mr McLean was not carrying an emergency beacon when he headed
into the wilderness.

Louise Ireland said Jim McLean was widely regarded on Flinders Island as an
enigmatic person, who "goes off and has these adventures".

"He's a tough old bugger. He could probably live on moths and insects and
mushrooms for ages," she said.

One thing is for sure — if Mr McLean was to emerge from the Tasmanian bush, it
would be much more than just the talk of Flinders Island.

If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of Mr McLean, they are urged to
contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

A search-and-rescue party looking for a missing Tasmanian
bushwalker have stumbled on another walker needing help because of an injured
ankle.

Search crews unexpectedly located the 38-year-old Hobart man on Wednesday during
the search for James Hugh McLean, who authorities admit there is little hope of
finding alive.

The bushwalker, who has not been named, became stranded with an injured ankle
near Craycroft Crossing in the state's south-west wilderness.

Search crews have been scouring the same area for Mr McLean, who has not been
seen since November 12.

The 76-year-old Flinders Island resident had embarked on a 100-kilometre journey
in the south-west and was due to return on December 13.

He signed into the Huon Track registration hut on November 13, but has not been
seen since.

The search team deployed a helicopter on Wednesday night which failed to find
any trace of Mr McLean, despite using highly sophisticated night vision
equipment.

Acting Inspector Andrew O'Dwyer said search crews scaled the entire walking
track between Mount Rugby and the Huon Track where he began his journey, via
ground and air for more than a week.

"Given the length of time he has been missing, the lack of food sources within
the area and the difficulty of the terrain, we must be realistic that if Mr
McLean is within the South-West National Park, there is now little hope of
finding him alive," said Acting Inspector O' Dwyer.

Police are reviewing whether the search will continue.

Mr Mclean is a highly experienced bushwalker and is renowned for venturing
off-track without adequate supplies.

The terrain is known for being thick, with Hobart Walking Club president Geoff
O' Hara telling the ABC that the wilderness could be unforgiving.

"The really intense [scrub] is very difficult to get through … it's very wearing
on your body, you get very, very tired," he said.